Seyi Tayese, Yenagoa
National Association of Seadogs, also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has declared support for the campaign for blood donors to contribute to the drastic reduction of infant and maternal mortality.
Members of NAS on the Oxbow Marino Deck, Bayelsa State, made this declaration during the 2024 World Blood Donor Day advocacy visit to the Federal Medical Centre in Yenagoa with the theme, “20 YEARS OF CELEBRATING GIVING: THANK YOU BLOOD DONORS”, insisting that blood donation and transfusion are noble gestures of mankind.
The Oxbow Marino Deck Seadogs also visited the phlebotomy at the ultra-modern blood bank building for the physical examination/vital signs and finally donated blood.
Earlier, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Centre, Dr. James Omietimi, while addressing the Seadogs also declared that blood donation is a noble deed, and millions of needy patients around the world benefit from such donations each time the need arises, getting treated for various medical conditions, like blood loss, anaemia, and cancer etc.
He also acknowledged and recognised the National Association of Seadogs, aka Pyrates Confraternity, (Oxbow Marine Deck), are Donor Partners.
Also speaking, the Head Hematology & Blood Transfusion unit of the FMC, Mrs Rita Gede, during the pep talk urged Nigerians to support blood transfusion, pointing out that Blood transfusions are essential and that it helps to reduce infant and maternal mortality.
She also noted that blood transfusion improves life expectancy and quality of life of patients suffering from life-threatening hereditary diseases such as haemophilia and thalassaemia as well as acquired diseases such as cancer and traumatic haemorrhage.
She, however, highlighted the eligibility of the donor to give blood, mainly for the safety of the donor and the recipient, saying, “Blood donation is encouraged to save lives. The process of collecting must not endanger the lives of both the donor and the receive.”
The Head of Medical Laboratory Services, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, MLS Saibakumor, Ahmed Eneiyeketon also reiterated the calls for more individuals and partners to encourage blood donation and commended the members of NAS for their years of blood donation.
